Fitch reports that MMFs are significantly increasing allocations to Japan while continuing to cut back on Europe.
Money market funds aren’t taking any chances. According to a recent Fitch Ratings report, MMFs have increased their allocations to Japan while continuing to shy away from European banks. However, the retreat from Europe is two-way, Fitch reports. That’s because European banks (and regulators, who have lately frowned upon anything that resembles shadow banking) also are wary of what they see as a “potentially volatile form of funding.”
“US prime money market funds (MMF) continued to increase their exposure to Japanese banks, which as of end-July represent 12.3% of total MMF holdings or a 118% increase on a dollar basis since end-May 2011,” Fitch said (see chart below). Meanwhile, the disengagement” between MMFs and eurozone banks “appears to be persisting, as MMF risk aversion continues and both eurozone banks and their regulators seem cautious towards this potentially volatile form of funding.”
MMFs recently were able to avoid more stringent rules to make them safer and prevent runs. That battle is likely far from over so MMFs appear to be taking it upon themselves to protect against problem assets and regions like Europe. Despite the shift, however, it’s not all doom and gloom for Europe as MMFs modestly increased their allocations to eurozone banks from previous levels. This may reflect continue jawboning by ECB President Mario Draghi who has been willing the eurozone together and renewed confidence in MMFs on the banks’ end.
Still, a new bond-buying program Mr. Draghi has proposed to help Spain and Italy survive without a bail-out may not get the support it needs, so the MMF move away from eurozone banks may continue by the next Fitch report.